Matt Richardson interview

Stand-up Matt Richardson is hosting the drive-time show on the newly re-launched Virgin Radio. He says: "It's me sat in a room playing great songs and chatting utter nonsense." Here we ask him and his comedy circuit highlights and lowlights...

First gig?

5th November 2009 at the Oxford Brookes Uni SU. It was in front of an audience of maybe 30 or 40. I was on first after the break. The gig went amazingly well. Most of my material was about the university itself. I didn't sleep afterwards because I was so wired. It was either the adrenalin or the four Pro Plus I'd taken. My second gig was awful, though, about 2 weeks later.

The show you look back on most fondly?

I did my tour show in my hometown at my local arts centre (The Cornerstone in Didcot) and it sold out weeks in advance. I played to a wonderful audience with loads of friends and family dotted throughout in a venue I used to see my heroes in. The gig is a bit of a blur but I remember it being loads of fun and I very nearly cried at the end - it was my one true 'I've made it' moment!

Worst gig?

I've had so many that I don't think I can pick just one! I've been booed off at Edinburgh Jongleurs, I played to 50 people at Glastonbury last year (I clashed with Lionel) and that was pretty tough and pretty heartbreaking. I think the worst gigs are the ones where it is not quite good. I've been in many situations where someone important from telly or a festival has come to see me and I've been just about average. That breaks my heart the most - knowing there are people out there who think I'm just 'meh' Id rather they think I was awful.

Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

I find the most awful people to deal with are the people who aren't happy with their own position in the comedy world. There was one certain portly guitar playing semi pro comedian I used to gig with in the early days of my career and he'd constantly be giving out advice, speaking the loudest in dressing rooms and acting like he was a big shot. It was embarrassing because he'd then go on stage and be fucking terrible. He had to act like a big shot because it was the only way he'd not feel like a hobbyist.

The weirdest gig?

I've had a few! A gig to four people who didn't speak English as a first language in a posh hotel in Bahrain stands out. The surroundings were so lavish and the gig was so bleak. And we'd gone so far to do it. 'Good weird' was my first big charity gig. It was at the New Theatre in Oxford and I'd pestered the organisers to let me on. They agreed and then told me the bill: Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr, Andi Osho... and me. Ridiculous.

Is there one routine or gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

Many. I find any time I think of a routine and believe it is great audiences always disagree.

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

First Class trains aren't expensive if you book early, and they make the trip enjoyable.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

One reviewer asking a lot for tickets to a show in Glasgow and then tearing me to shreds for being 'hack', when all I was doing was using MC tricks to make a hard room playable for myself. And then being surprised when I did. Dick.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

I'm really happy. I've gone further and further away from comedy, which wasn't something I ever thought would happen but I'm really enjoying how varied everything I do is. I never thought it'd be my job and I'm really proud to say it is. I'm lucky that I got opportunities to move away from stand-up a little bit when the circuit got tough. I can pick and choose my gigs now and tour by myself. I'm living the dream and I couldn't be more grateful.

It's your last ever gig: give us the venue, the line-up, the pre-show rider...

A Sold Out New Theatre in Oxford and all my friends.

David Morgan, Angela Barnes, Romesh Ranganathan - what a dream.

The rider would be full of beer... and vegan food for Romesh. What a diva he's become.

Matt Richardson presents Drivetime on Virgin Radio every weekday from 4pm. Retune your digital radio now to get it! www.virginradio.co.uk